OFFSTAGE: Let’s Not Hate Ashton Kutcher for His Style and Song

(CMT Offstage keeps a 24/7 watch on everything that’s happening with country music artists behind the scenes and out of the spotlight.)

Wait a minute. Are country singers seriously mad at Ashton Kutcher because of what he wore to the Academy of Country Music Awards
on Sunday night (April 1), or are they bent out of shape because he tried to sing a little George Strait? I don’t get what everyone’s so angry about. Kutcher was there to present, and he did so just fine, even throwing a little bit of Strait’s “I Cross My Heart” into his short stint onstage. But after the show, Miranda Lambert tweeted, “Was Ashton Kutcher making fun of country or is it just me? Watching it back now and I’m kinda wondering?” And Justin Moore wrote, “Seen Ashton kutcher at the acms tonight. What a (expletive)! I don’t care for people making a mockery of the way country artists’ dress.” If you missed it, Kutcher was wearing a big black cowboy hat, a shiny belt buckle and an old-school red jacket with simple white detailing. (Kind of like an entry-level item from Manuel’s shop
in Nashville.) And, sure, maybe it was a little dated. But maybe the guy was just trying to fit in. He tweeted back to Lambert
, “I Am One Of The biggest country Music fans you’ve ever met. Wasn’t making fun at all. btw congratulations again.” And he has more than 10 million followers on Twitter. So instead of wondering if Kutcher’s intentions were good, let’s think about thanking him for telling 10 million people he loves country music.